anyone opt for lumpectomy over mastectomy and why?

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elkatho
elkatho Member Posts: 159
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I have one lump <2 cm in right breast. I have been told and read many places that one must decide what they are most comfortable with but what I have seem to found is most woman opted for a mastectomy or bilateral mastectomy. So I am wondering if anyone who decided on a lumpectomy could share why they made this decision. Initially when diagnosed I thought mast. However my Dr feels either lump or mast are good options...so I have stopped to think before moving forwarding with my knee jerk reaction. I am waiting for the results of my BCRA results. If positive will make this conversation irrelevant as I would then have a double mastectomy.</p>

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited March 2013

    If they give you the choice; I would definitely go with the lumpectomy. Much less invasive surgery, quicker recovery etc. I had a pretty big tumor but was still very happy with my results. I like having breasts but could never go through all the time/expense/pain/hassle etc. of reconstruction....so I'm glad this was a choice for me. Radiation is only a few weeks of the whole rest of your life, and having a mastectomy isn't a guarantee that you won't have to do it anyway. Best of luck!

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited March 2013

    elkatho....It looks like our Dx are the same.

    I had a lumpectomy...i wasn't given any other choices that i was a perfect candidate for it

    Good luck with all your upcoming treatments

    ♥

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited March 2013

    I was told all I needed was a lumpectomy. Having had numerous major surgeries in the past, I didn't think any further about having a mastectomy. I breezed through radiation afterwards.

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  • CameraKim
    CameraKim Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2013

    I had planned on having a mastectomy and my BS was willing to go along with my wishes. I was scared and just wanted my breasts off in the beginning.

    I had a really good response to neoadjuvant chemo though and felt my tumor getting smaller each week to the point where we couldn't feel it at all by the end. After reading all the pros and cons I decided finally on the lumpectomy knowing with node involvement I'd have radiation regardless. I'd been through the wringer and wanted the least invasive surgery possible.

    Had the lumpectomy and SNB last week...easy surgery and easy recovery. Didn't even need to take so much as a tylenol. I feel good right now about my choice. It's a hard one to make and unique to all of us.

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  • bearcub
    bearcub Member Posts: 485
    edited March 2013

    I had a lumpectomy and SNB July 2012. I had one lump 1.1 cm. It was my choice and I Opted for the less invasive surgery since mastectomy didn't mean the cancer wouldn't come back. I got clear margins, clear nodes and no LVI. I was nervous also that a mastectomy could give me a frozen shoulder, a higher chance of Lymphadema. I am very happy with my decision.

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited March 2013

    I too had a lumpectomy, though I lost my nipple becauce the tumor was immediately next to it.  My BC breast had always been larger than the other, and it still is, rather surprisingly.  It made no sense cosmetically to have an MX.  Emotionally I couldn't do it either.  Since the lymph nodes get a dose of radiation, this gives me more peace, even though my nodes were clear.  

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  • snorkeler
    snorkeler Member Posts: 145
    edited March 2013

    My tumor was a 1cm IDC like yours. I was given a choice of mastectomy or lumpectomy, and I chose lumpectomy (plus radiation) for the same reasons as stated above. In addition, I would not want a reconstructed breast that has no feeling if I could keep my own. Sure, my breast looks a little different now, but it still feels the same. It still feels like part of my body.

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  • Gingerbrew
    Gingerbrew Member Posts: 2,859
    edited March 2013

    We were in the middle of moving across country and the recuperation time was much less.  Also the survival stats are the same.  Also I had the correct profile.  Radiation was required of I had a lumpectomy.  I had surgery in home state and the rest of my treatment in new town. 

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  • elkatho
    elkatho Member Posts: 159
    edited March 2013

    Thank you for your responses. I truly appreciate you sharing with me.

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  • elkatho
    elkatho Member Posts: 159
    edited April 2013

    I had my lumpectomy on Thursday April 4th. It went well, I feel good and am happy with my decision.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited April 2013

    Glad you are doing well!

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited April 2013

     Hi I was givin the option of lumpectomy but I wanted a longer,,Survival time and what I did for me, but maybe not for you, and I am now a 19 yr SUrvivor(Praise GOD) so pleas get second opinion and I was getting married at the time of diagnosis and didn.t want to go into a new marriage deformed , but I decided it was best so I wouldn. t be worried, God Bless. msphil(idc, stage 2, 3 nodes,L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen) God Bless

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited April 2013

    Unless there are genetic factors involved, a mastectomy and lumpectomy plus radiation are equally effective....in fact, some recent studies have indicated a better survival rate for the second option. Of course, each person needs to do what fits them right psychologically as well. One thing that I've found is that any two people can be given the same information and come up with a totally different idea of what is the 'right' thing to do.

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  • Elizabeth1959
    Elizabeth1959 Member Posts: 346
    edited April 2013

    Long term survival means no metasteses As Ruth said, a recent study showed better outcomes with lumpectomy with rads. I had mastectomy because of a huge tumor and no choice. I recently had reconstruction. Lots of expense, time off work, pain etc. if I could have had a lumpectomy I would have gone for that option

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited April 2013

    I  had the option of lumpectomy but female surgeon suggested mastectomy and was hard choice for I was in the process of making wedding plans when diagnosed,I choose mastectomy and it was a very good choice for me I am now this yr a 19 yr SURVIVOR(Praise GOD). msphil idc stage 2, 3 nodes, L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited April 2013

    HI, my tumor was a little larger so offered either mastectomy or lumpectomy. Mine was located under the breast at 6pm. So lumpectomy gave me a good cosmetic outcome. I'm glad I went with that as it is less invasiver surgery and has the same rate of success when done w rads as mastectomy does.  I was really afraid of the majory surgery and extra risk of complications and infection with mastectomy. 

    Recently an article was published that stated people with lumpectomy have better overall survival rates than those with mastectomy.  Here is is for you to check out. The reasearch was released in Jan 2013.

    http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/01/28/for-early-cancer-lumpectomy-beats-mastectomy-for-survival-study

    "Breast-conserving surgery for early stage breast cancers may result in better survival than mastectomy, according to a new study.

     

    For those with early stage breast cancer, "lumpectomy is just as effective if not more effective than mastectomy," said researcher Dr. Shelley Hwang, chief of breast surgery at Duke Cancer Institute in Durham, N.C."

    Intersting study.

    Hope this helps you decide a bit. Good luck and let us know how you're doing.

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